Looking Back and Moving Forward: 2024 Highlights (ENG)
We hope you had a joyful and relaxing holiday season. As we step into the new year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout 2024. Your contributions have been the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished.
Join us in looking back at some of the most exciting highlights from 2024 at the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC)—all made possible by your generosity and dedication to our mission.
Save Thong Khoun – A Future for Laos’ Elephants
In Laos, for every ten elephants that die, only one is born. This devastating trend pushes the species to the brink of extinction. But there is hope.
Meet Thong Khoun, a male Asian elephant with a complex past. Once a logging elephant, later a tourist camp stud, his future is uncertain. Without action, he could be sold again, wasting his potential to help his species.
The ECC, in partnership with “Des Éléphants & Des Hommes,” sees Thong Khoun as key to saving his species. We need your help to raise $35,000 to bring him to ECC permanently, where he will contribute to the survival of his kind.
This isn’t just about one elephant; it’s about the future of all elephants in Laos. Every donation brings us closer to securing Thong Khoun’s future.
Help us make a difference. Donate today.
>> SAVE THONG KHOUN NOW <<
ECORE Workshop: Shaping the Future of Academic Exchange
This November, the ECORE (Education, Conservation, and Research) Workshop brought together academic leaders from around the world to develop a robust study-abroad curriculum at ECC. Their insights are instrumental in positioning ECC as a leading destination for international education and research.
With a focus on wildlife research, biodiversity, protected area management, and community development, the ECORE Project fosters global academic exchange while advancing scientific understanding. ECC’s unique location—home to 27 Asian elephants and adjoining the 192,000-hectare Nam Pouy National Protected Area—provides an unparalleled setting for both education and conservation.
A special thanks to Wyss Academy for Nature for funding and assisting with the organisation of this impactful workshop. We are grateful to all participants for their collaboration in shaping the future of our academic and research programs.
New Mobile Elephant Clinic WILDMED
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the WILDMED Project, a transformative initiative set to revolutionise wildlife conservation in Laos. In collaboration with the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, the Elephant Conservation Center, and French NGO Des Éléphants & Des Hommes, this project has introduced a Wildlife Mobile Emergency and Diagnostic Unit to provide swift responses to wildlife emergencies and deliver essential veterinary care.
The project features a 24-hour Wildlife Emergency Response Team equipped with mobile veterinary units, disease surveillance, and ongoing health assessments, as well as training for local veterinarians and internships for Lao professionals, with a particular focus on protecting Laos’s elephants.
Proudly supported by the ProBioDev programme, managed by the IUCN French Committee and funded by multiple international organisations, WILDMED is committed to safeguarding Laos’s rich biodiversity and addressing critical wildlife health needs.
Research Highlights: Advancing Elephant Conservation
The ECC is collaborating with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute to establish a DNA lab, enhancing our ability to monitor genetic diversity in both captive and wild elephant populations. Sample collections for this DNA genetic survey project will be conducted in partnership with WWF-Laos. Additionally, the Denver Zoo is supporting the training of ECC’s Lao veterinarians Ms. Pavina Chalernsouk and Ms. Mukthida Vilasith (Mouk), enhancing their skills for both laboratory and fieldwork.
Through partnerships with Free the Bears and the Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife, we have successfully conducted the third wildlife course for fifth-year veterinary students at the National University of Laos. As part of this course, the ECC welcomed two veterinary students for a three-month internship focused on elephant parasitology and haematology.
These collaborations not only advance education for future veterinarians but also empower a new generation of wildlife vets, providing experienced Laotian veterinarians like Mouk and Pavina opportunities to lead vital conservation courses.
Photo source: WWF Laos
Nam Pouy NPA & Released Elephants Update
As part of our commitment to elephant conservation, we are proud to share an update on the ranger team we employ in the Nam Pouy National Protected Area. This region, home to Laos’ second-largest wild elephant population, is also where our four released elephants now reside. These elephants are being closely monitored by our ranger, research, and veterinary teams to ensure their successful adaptation to the wild.
The ranger team is not only safeguarding elephants but also keeping a vigilant eye on the health of the habitat. Their efforts this year have included patrolling an incredible 4,179 kilometres, shutting down 16 illegal logging operations, and confiscating 12 firearms. These actions are vital in protecting the biodiversity of Nam Pouy and creating a safe environment for elephants and other wildlife.
<< WATCH RANGER TEAM VIDEO UPDATE >>
Empowering the Next Generation: Youth Training with Econox Laos
Last month, our veterinarians, Mouk and Pavina, participated in a youth training event organised by Econox Laos and the Conservation Association. They shared insights into ECC’s scientific approach to elephant breeding and rewilding, inspiring participants to explore careers in biodiversity conservation.
The training offered young Lao participants opportunities to network with conservation experts, learn about animal welfare, and engage in hands-on activities. Many of these youth are now better equipped to pursue internships or volunteer roles with NGOs, further strengthening conservation efforts in Laos. We hope their experience motivates them to take action to protect our country’s rich biodiversity.
Tourism Recognition: Awards and Accolades
This year, ECC was honoured with the following awards:
- TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award
- Lonely Planet Top 10 Must-Visit Spots in Laos
Thank you to our visitors for sharing their experiences and recognising our efforts in conservation tourism.
We look forward to 2025
We remain committed to our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and conserving Asian elephants while fostering education and research for future generations. Thank you for being a part of our journey. Here’s to another year of impactful work together.
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Elephant Conservation Center!
Header Image Source: @jojo_3wm